How To Increase Thyroid Hormone

Things To Boost Your Thyroid Without Taking More Medication

All too often when your thyroid labs come back low youre given a new prescription for a higher dose of medication. Sometimes this is indeed necessary, but there are many reasons why your T3 is low and it may have nothing to do with your dose of medication.

T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone its what your after either from your own production of T3 OR from taking medications containing synthetic T4 .

You need adequate T3 for a healthy metabolism in literally every single cell of your body.

Healthy T3 levels in my opinion are between 100-180 for total T3 and 9.2 to 24.1 for Free T3 . Yes sometimes a bump up in medication is necessary, but for many with low T3 the increased dose wont do much to improve your labs or your symptoms because the reason for the low T3 isnt being addressed.

Here are 3 ways you can improve your T3 values and feel BETTER whether you need more medication or not:

What Is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Thyroid stimulating hormone is produced and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. It controls production of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, by the thyroid gland by binding to receptors located on cells in the thyroid gland. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are essential to maintaining the bodys metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and maintenance of bones.

How To Increase Tsh Naturally

• Pin

Low TSH levels, often diagnosed as hyperthyroidism, affects 2-5% of all women mostly between the ages of 20-40 years old. Im excited to tell you that there are ways to increase TSH naturally without spending tons of money on supplements.

Lets dive in!

First, lets review what TSH is and what a normal level is :

TSH is a hormone that the pituitary sends out to tell the thyroid how much or how little thyroid hormones to produce.

Please note: TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. TSH levels tell you what your pituitary is up to, but it doesnt tell you how much thyroid hormone your body is producing.

Everyone is biochemically individual, but at our practice weve found that a TSH level between 0.5-2.0 is the range where people feel healthy and vibrant.

The pituitary, hypothalamus and adrenals are all part of the endocrine system and communicate with one another throughout the day. When the body perceives stress , the hypothalamus can tell the pituitary to produce less TSH so the thyroid will produce more hormones to keep the body functioning.

So, a low TSH level isnt necessarily a thyroid problem. Instead, its often an imbalance in the HPA axis. Your practitioners job is to figure out why there is an imbalance.

A low TSH doesnt always mean the body is in a state of hyperthyroidism:

Ive seen many clients who had low TSH but their fT4 and fT3 were either low, or in normal ranges. This is why you always want to have a full thyroid panel.

Read Also: Can Estrace Cause Weight Gain

Getting Tested For Your Unique Supplement Needs:

While I can offer general advice for addressing various deficiencies, getting objective analysis of your own needs is often the best course of action. Getting a test done to determine any potential nutritional deficiencies can help you find what youre low in, and avoid wasting your money supplementing on things you dont need or worse yet, getting too much of something and throwing things off-balance.

Check out and schedule a mineral analysis to find what you may need to supplement with.

Balance Estrogen Testosterone & Blood Sugar

Weve talked a lot about making T3 from T4, but you also need to have enough FREE T3 vs. just total T3 as it is the free form that has the activity in your body.

It is called free because it is not attached to a protein carrier . Most thyroid hormone is transported by TBG and hormones like estrogen and testosterone affect the levels of this protein, and thus the levels of free T3.

Elevated estrogen due to estrogen dominance or estrogen medications like birth control or hormone replacement will raise the amount of TBG in your system thus binding up a lot of your thyroid hormone and lowering your free T3.

This is one reason behind weight gain and depression in some women taking estrogen related medications and estrogen dominance. Testosterone on the other hand, usually elevated from PCOS or from taking replacement therapy, will lower TBG leaving a higher amount of free T3. Which sounds awesome, but its not.

Order Hangry and get some AMAZING bonuses right now!

If youve ever felt like a Hangry B*tch and are ready to balance your hormones and restore your joy in just 5 simple steps then Hangry is for you!

Recommended Reading: How Long Does Olly Sleep Take To Work

B Role Of Deiodinases

D2 is the primary enzyme responsible for the rapid increases in intracellular T3 in specific tissues as well as the primary producer of serum T3 in humans . The D2 enzyme has a short half-life due to ubiquitination and proteasome degradation . Deubiquitination, which increases D2 activity, is stimulated by adrenergic activation or by low levels of serum T4 . D2 is expressed in key thyroid-responsive tissues, such as brain, skeletal muscle, and brown fat, which preserves T3 in these tissues as serum T4 levels fall. The T3 generated intracellularly by D2 is transferred to the nucleus and then regulates gene transcription. D2 activity is critical for the synergism of TH and signaling in regulating thermogenesis in BAT .

D2 activity has been shown in one study to be stimulated by bile acids, through activation of the G protein-coupled receptor for bile acids receptor, which potentially links TH action with bile acid signaling . Administration of bile acids to mice resulted in increased energy expenditure in BAT, prevented obesity, and improved insulin sensitivity. This action was independent of the FXR but required D2 gene expression. D2 and TGR5 are coexpressed in key metabolic tissues, and this may be relevant for the regulation of energy expenditure. Bile acids may have an action in addition to bile acid homeostasis to function more broadly in metabolism . The TGR5 receptor is expressed in human adipose tissue, and its expression was correlated with basal metabolic rate .

Thyroid Function & Disruptive Factors:

Supporting thyroid function is essential for promoting metabolism and aiding normal growth and neurological development. When thyroid health suffers, the ability of the whole body to maintain homeostasis is thrown off balance.

The thyroid gland communicates with the adrenal, pituitary, and hypothalamus glands as well as the kidneys, liver and skeletal muscle. When thyroid function is sub-optimal, hundreds of enzymatic processes are disturbed in the body.

Numerous factors contribute to the decline of thyroid health. Environmental and physiological influences that play a role may include:

• Heavy metal contamination

• Reduced energy breakdown for the brain
• Weight gain

Oxidative stress increases under conditions of nutrient deficiency and further triggers a problem in metabolic pathways. Deficiencies in the following nutrients can manifest in the body in several ways. Some of these include:

• Mood disturbances, fatigue and poor cognitive thought
• Hair changes including brittleness, loss of pigment or alopecia. Can also affect eyebrows, eyelashes, and nails
• Irritability, depression, and skin rashes
• Anemia
• Enlarged thyroid gland
• Gastrointestinal complications like constipation, impaired fertility and sexual reproductive health, numbness and/or sharp pains in extremities resulting from nerve damage
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Weakened immunity

Don’t Miss: Breakthrough Bleeding On Bioidentical Hormones

B Therapeutic Targets For Metabolic Disorders

An improved understanding of the mechanism underlying the actions of TH on lipid metabolism and thermogenesis has led to several useful compounds targeting TR for treatment of metabolic disorders . The thyroid hormone-related thyronamine signaling is a novel pathway to consider for treatment of obesity and metabolic disturbances . The thyronamines are measurable in normal human sera and tissues . Acute T1AM treatment in animals induces hypothermia and reduces metabolism, similar to torpor in hibernating mammals. Although the factors that regulate endogenous T1AM levels are not known, this is a pathway that could potentially be antagonized to raise metabolic rate. T1AM, however, also has the property of rapidly converting an animal from carbohydrate to exclusive fat metabolism, which persists after acute T1AM stimulation . Selective augmentation of this T1AM action is an attractive target for the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism

I had thyroid problems long before I knew what was going on. Its easy to miss the common symptoms of hypothyroidism among other normal aspects of life. For me, I was having babies, not sleeping much because of that, and struggling to lose weight because I thought that was normal for being postpartum.

But in reality, my symptoms were way more extreme than they should have been. The thyroid can produce so many different symptoms when its not behaving right. Some people will have a lot of them, others may only have one or two noticeable signs. This is where proper testing makes all the difference in getting answers.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism to look out for?

You May Like: Estradiol Patch Prices

Nutrients To Improve Thyroid Function

Thyroid function is very much determined by our micronutrient levels and our digestive health. Did you know that one of the best ways to support a healthy thyroid and overall well-being is with an optimal nutrition plan?

Thyroid function and its metabolic roles are reliant on nutrient feedback signals. Without specific nutrients, there is a lack of expression from a variety of physiological activities that ultimately cause a decline in total health.

Restore your vitality by addressing 10 key nutrients outlined in this article to improve thyroid function and see positive changes in your energy and mental clarity.

What Is Hypothyroidism And Do You Actually Have It

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common reasons people give for not being able to lose fat. While it can be scoffed at as merely an excuse for not following a proper diet or exercise program, it is nevertheless a very real condition that is relatively common.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid doesnt produce enough thyroid hormones. It is usually characterized by having insufficient T4 and raised TSH which has increased in order to raise T4 levels. While this is a simple explanation, it is extremely insufficient to cover the wide range of thyroid problems as there are many variations of hormone imbalances that could be responsible for an under active thyroid.

Difficulty losing weight is the most notable symptom of an under performing thyroid, but some other common symptoms include constipation, sensitivity to cold and cold skin, fatigue, dry skin, brittle nails, and decreased immune function.

Read Also: Cost Of Estradiol

Can Hypothyroidism Be Prevented

Hypothyroidism cannot be prevented. The best way to prevent developing a serious form of the condition or having the symptoms impact your life in a serious way is to watch for signs of hypothyroidism. If you experience any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, the best thing to do is talk to your healthcare provider. Hypothyroidism is very manageable if you catch it early and begin treatment.

What Factors Impact T4 To T3 Conversion

In addition to the production of thyroid hormones, there are a variety of factors that impact the conversion of T4 into free T3 as well as the conversion of T4 into reverse T3. For example, selenium and zinc are two minerals that can increase the conversion of T4 into free T3.

On the other hand, things like stress, trauma, a low-calorie diet, inflammation, the presence of cytokines, exposure to toxins, infections, liver or kidney dysfunction, and certain medications can increase the production of T4 into reverse T3.

Read Also: Microgestin And Hair Loss

How To Raise Tsh Levels Naturally

To stimulate the under-active thyroid gland, the pituitary gland needs to release more TSH. Read on, to know how to raise TSH levels naturally. Along with medications, the natural ways of increasing TSH levels can promote fast recovery. Scroll down to know the natural waysâ¦

To stimulate the under-active thyroid gland, the pituitary gland needs to release more TSH. Read on, to know how to raise TSH levels naturally. Along with medications, the natural ways of increasing TSH levels can promote fast recovery. Scroll down to know the natural ways

The thyroid stimulating hormone is released by the anterior pituitary gland. This hormone stimulates the thyroid gland. Its release ensures normal levels of thyroid hormones. If you are worried about how to raise TSH levels naturally, it is safe to assume that you are having lower than normal TSH levels. In addition to the prescribed medications, there are certain ways in which you can raise your TSH levels naturally, lets take a closer look into it.

What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Thyroid Problems

If your body shows signs such as fatigue after a full nights rest, stress, anxiety, depression, weight management issues even with regular diet and exercise, then these could be telltale symptoms of a thyroid disorder.

When the symptoms are left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to chronic heart conditions, vision problems, and thyroid cancer. If you suspect a thyroid condition, please check with your Family Practice Physician for the right treatment plan.

Also Check: Nugenix Estro Regulator Side Effects

Make Friends With Magnesium

Magnesium is another essential element that helps our body perform certain key functions. However, experts say most Americans are deficient in magnesium, and that caffeine and sugar-rich foods can actually reduce magnesium in your system.

Magnesium is important in converting iodine into thyroid hormones . That means not getting magnesium can lead to an underactive thyroid, which has symptoms including weight gain, general fatigue, dry skin, and even depression. While magnesium is available in supplements, also try spinach, sweet corn, avocado, shrimp, raisins, bananas, and broccoli.

Are There Complications Of Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid storm is a rare but serious complication of hyperthyroidism. It happens when your thyroid makes and releases a large amount of thyroid hormone in a short amount of time. Thyroid storm is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of thyroid storm include:

• High fever a temperature between 104 degrees to 106 degrees Fahrenheit is common.
• Rapid heart rate that can exceed 140 beats per minute.
• Feeling agitated, irritable and/or anxious.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Loss of consciousness.

A complication of Graves disease, one of the causes of hyperthyroidism, is called Graves eye disease . This condition can usually not be prevented. Graves eye disease can cause the following complications:

• Bulging eyes.

Read Also: Nugenix Estrogen Blocker

Stress And Depression From T3/t4 Imbalances

Physicians are finding in patients who come in stressed out or depressed have T4/T3 imbalances.

This type of depression and stress can be treated by taking both the T3 and T4 thyroid medications.

A blood test called TSH can be ordered to see if they are getting the right dose of T4. Usually, a physician will cut the T4 medication in half and add T3 medication at a low dosage.

T3 is added at a very low dosage because if you add a larger dose it could cause blood clots, irregular heartbeats, shakiness, and in some cases osteoporosis. Patients return in thirty days for another TSH and blood tests to check for the T3 level of hormones in their system.

Physicians can also give a patient a prescription to raise the level of serotonin with T3 hormones as an additive for maximum results.

How Do You Keep Your Thyroid Healthy

Whether you have or dont have a thyroid disorder, you can take some steps that will help you have a healthy thyroid. A holistic approach that involves diet, exercise, and simple lifestyle changes can help in the proper functioning of your thyroid.

A balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy thyroid for life. Limit or avoid your intake of processed foods, trans fats, refined sugar, preservatives, and dyes. Opt for more antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, beans, probiotic foods, heart-healthy fats, and omega-3s such as fatty fish extra-virgin olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, groundnut, coconut, avocado oils and nut butters.

Iodine deficiency is another reason for thyroid disorders, as reported by the American Thyroid Association. The body needs iodine to produce TSH but it does not produce it, and we need to consume iodine as part of our diet. You can get your iodine intake from table salt, dairy products, seaweed, saltwater fish, shellfish, seafood, and any iodized product. However, it would help if you had it in moderation, as too much iodine can mess up your thyroid hormone level.

If you have iodine deficiency, have soy in moderation. Also, make sure to cook cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, and Bok choy before consumption. Eating them raw can hamper thyroid functioning.

Recommended Reading: Vyvanse And Testosterone

Reduce Your Sugar Intake

An increase in insulin is associated with lower HGH levels.

Refined carbs and sugar raise insulin levels the most, so reducing your intake may help optimize growth hormone levels .

One study found that healthy people had 34 times higher HGH levels than those with diabetes, as well as impaired carb tolerance and insulin function .

Along with directly affecting insulin levels, excess sugar intake is a key factor in weight gain and obesity, which also affect HGH levels.

That said, the occasional sweet treat will not impact your HGH levels in the long term.

Aim to achieve a balanced diet, as what you eat has a profound effect on your health, hormones, and body composition.

Summary Elevated insulin levels may reduce HGH production. Therefore, limit your intake of large amounts of sugar and refined carbs.

Given that most meals cause a rise in insulin levels, some experts suggest avoiding food before bedtime .

In particular, a high-carb or high-protein meal may spike your insulin and potentially block some of the HGH released at night .

Keep in mind that insufficient research exists on this theory.

Nevertheless, insulin levels normally decrease 23 hours after eating, so you may wish to avoid carb- or protein-based meals 23 hours before bedtime.

Summary More research is needed on the effects of nighttime eating on HGH. Still, it may be best to avoid food 23 hours before bed.